Fifita starts against Lions

Related Links

Cape Town - Lock Vaea Fifita's elevation to the starting
team represents the only change to the Hurricanes starting XV named to play the Lions in
Johannesburg on Saturday.

Fifita switches places with Blade Thomson, who takes his
place on a reserve bench which features two further changes to the squad that
lost by a solitary point to the Chiefs in Wellington.

Experienced sccrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park comes into the
squad for Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, who has remained in New Zealand, while James
Marshall edges out Otere Black as the bench cover for flyhalf and fullback.

Fifita, who will make his fourth start of 2016, resumes his
locking partnership with Michael Fatialofa after the pair started together
against the Rebels in Melbourne a fortnight ago.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said he was lucky to have two
players in Fifita and Thomson both equally as capable of starting or providing
impact off the bench with their athleticism.